Strength

Strength

What is it? Where does it come from? Is it purely a physical aspect to a person?
As I consider the things people have done for us, I find that the measure of strength is not an easy assessment.

I don’t think many would argue against the notion that the strongest person ever to walk this earth was Jesus. However, even with all of God’s might, he showed strength not in physical aspects like lifting animals or some brute-force act like that, but in strength of character, of love. He showed it in his ability to love those that were hard for others to love, to ultimately lay down his life for us, who are deeply flawed in many ways, undeserving of the gift of grace. He wasn’t afraid to allow himself to be made vulnerable, to ridicule, to torture, and even to death. But, for us, showing your honest emotions to others leaves you open and vulnerable also. Why is it really considered weak for males to show emotion? Shouldn’t that be what you expect from a “Daddy”? Shouldn’t it be strength that is observed in men that make themselves vulnerable by being honest in all that they do, whether in act or emotion? When you need to help somebody who is in need, a lot of times it’s not physical strength that is needed, it’s emotional strength. Loyalty is strength also, as is a commitment to one’s beliefs. However, what someone else believes is not necessarily a threat to your strength. Consider the parable of the Good Samaritan, who, though the man on the side of the road was a hated enemy, showed love and compassion and (gasp) spent money.

I think that too many of us (myself included at times in my life) confuse power, wealth, and even winning (in many ways, sports, even just getting in front of the next driver in traffic) with strength. While at times these goals may or may not be acceptable, don’t confuse them as strength. I have concluded that some of the most powerful “leaders” are truly weak, while many who serve each other in small ways are truly strong.